WTAM Local News

Convictions in the Richmond Heights shake down

(Cleveland) - Two public education leaders have admitted to wrongdoing, during an appearance in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Former Richmond Heights school superintendent Dr. Robert Moore will be sentenced on May 22nd, after pleading guilty to bribery and theft in office.

The 52 year old Moore is accused of shaking down a day care, along with former school staffer Richard Muse, and threatening to terminate the day care's business contract with the Richmond Heights schools if they didn't pay up.

Prosecutors say the day care paid Moore and Muse twice, and that $3,400 in cash was recovered.

Muse, the district's former Director of Buildings and Grounds also pleaded guilty.

Matthew Meyer, head of the Public Corruption Unit, at the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office tells Newsradio WTAM 1100, Muse was involved in transferring the ill-gotten gains to Moore.

The 43 year old Muse also pleaded guilty to forging phony documents to get his job with the Richmond Heights School District. He will also be sentenced on May 22nd and could get several years in prison.

Meyer says, due to their convictions, neither Muse nor Moore can ever hold a public office.